La Mesa

IPS has been providing alcohol and drug prevention services in La Mesa since 2002.   With assistance from countywide prevention providers and concerned community members, IPS provided technical assistance to pass a Social Host Ordinance (SHO) in La Mesa in 2003.  La Mesa’s Social Host law imposes a misdemeanor on individuals who host underage drinking events on property they own, lease or otherwise control. The purpose of the ordinance is to deter underage drinking parties by decreasing social access to alcohol by underage youth.

With assistance from the Binge and Underage Drinking Initiative, IPS East County conducted key stakeholder interviews with the La Mesa Police Department and all the other municipal police departments in San Diego County along with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to determine the effectiveness of each city’s Social Host Ordinance (SHO).

IPS staff also participate in the Envision La Mesa community group which works to revitalize blighted neighborhoods in La Mesa.